1856 Iowa Senate election

none September 2023 1856 Iowa Senate election Iowa Flag of Iowa (variant).svg legislative no 1854 Iowa Senate election 1854 1857 Iowa Senate election 1857 21 out of 36 seats in the Iowa State Senate 19 1856 Republican Party (United States) 0 0 23Whig Nearly all Whigs switched political party to become Republicans. 23Seats The Iowa Senate expanded from 31 seats to 36 seats following the 1856 general election.https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/BB/696310.pdf#page=7 The Iowa General Assembly: Our Legislative Heritage 1846 - 1980 Iowa General Assembly July 21, 2021 Democratic Party (United States) 17 15Before Following the 1854 Iowa Senate election, Democrats held 17 seats to Whigs' 14. However, three changes occurred during the fifth general assembly. In the first district, Democratic Senator James M. Love resigned on July 1, 1856, causing a vacancy in his seat that was filled by special election.https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/legislator?ga=5&personID=5818 Senator James M. Love: Compiled Historical Information Iowa Official Register July 21, 2021 Democrat David Trowbridge Brigham succeeded Senator Love, holding the seat for the Democrats.https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/legislator?ga=5&personID=5634 Senator David Trowbridge Brigham: Compiled Historical Information Iowa Official Register July 21, 2021 In the twentieth district, Democratic Senator Theophilus Bryan was originally declared the winner.https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/legislator?ga=5&personID=5789 Senator Theophilus Bryan: Compiled Historical Information Iowa Official Register July 21, 2021 However, the members of the Iowa Senate voted on January 7, 1855 to remove Senator Bryan and replace him with his Whig opponent, Senator James Cunningham Jordan, thereby flipping the seat to Whig control.https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/legislator?ga=5&personID=4527 Senator James Cunningham Jordan: Compiled Historical Information Iowa Official Register July 21, 2021 In the twenty-fourth district, Democratic Senator John G. Shields died on June 25, 1856, causing a vacancy in his seat.https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/legislator?ga=5&personID=5844 Senator John G. Shields: Compiled Historical Information Iowa Official Register July 21, 2021 Therefore, by election day in 1856, the Democrats held 15 seats, the Whigs held 15 seats, and one seat was vacant (the seat that had been held by Democratic Senator John Shields). 3 12Seats Know Nothing 0 0 1 1Seats Whig Party (US) 14 15Before 15Whig 0Seats President of the Iowa Senate Maturin L. FisherFisher Senator Maturin L. Fisher of Clayton County was chosen to be the sixth President of the Iowa Senate. He served during the fifth Iowa General Assembly, succeeding Senator William E. Leffingwell in that leadership position.https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/legislator?ga=5&personID=5804 Senator Maturin L. Fisher Iowa Legislature July 21, 2021 Democratic Party (United States) William W. HamiltonHamilton Republican Senator William W. Hamilton of Dubuque County was chosen to be the seventh President of the Iowa Senate. He served during the sixth Iowa General Assembly, succeeding Democratic Senator Maturin L. Fisher in that leadership position.https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/legislator?ga=6&personID=5730 Senator William W. Hamilton Iowa Legislature July 21, 2021 Senator Hamilton was the first Republican to serve as President of the Senate (all the previous Senate Presidents had been Democrats). Following Hamilton's one term as President of the Iowa Senate, Article IV, section 18, of the Constitution of Iowa was enacted & established that the Lieutenant Governor of Iowa shall perform the duties of the President of the Senate. The Lieutenant Governor performed the duties of President of the Senate from January 11, 1858 through January 14, 1991. As of 1991, duties of Iowa's Lieutenant Governor no longer include presiding over the state Senate.https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/informationOnLegislators/historicalInformation?searchGA=ALL&lastName=&firstName=&chamberID=S&leadershipPositionID=10&partyID=&districtID=&countyID= Iowa Legislators Past and Present: Senate President Iowa Legislature July 21, 2021 Republican Party (United States) In the 1856 Iowa State Senate elections, Iowa voters elected state senators to serve in the sixth Iowa General Assembly. Following the expansion of the Iowa Senate from 31 to 36 seats in 1856, elections were held for 21 of the state senate's 36 seats.Size At the time, the Iowa Senate had several multi-member districts.https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/senate General Assembly: 6 (12/01/1856 - 01/10/1858) Iowa Legislature July 21, 2021 State senators serve four-year terms in the Iowa State Senate. The general election took place in 1856.https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/senate General Assembly: 6 (12/01/1856 - 01/10/1858) Iowa Legislature July 21, 2021 Following the previous election in 1854, Democrats had control of the Iowa Senate with 17 seats to Whigs' 14 seats. However, three changes occurred during the fifth general assembly. In the first district, Democratic Senator James M. Love resigned on July 1, 1856, causing a vacancy in his seat that was filled by special election.https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/legislator?ga=5&personID=5818 Senator James M. Love: Compiled Historical Information Iowa Official Register July 21, 2021 Democrat David Trowbridge Brigham succeeded Senator Love, holding the seat for the Democrats.https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/legislator?ga=5&personID=5634 Senator David Trowbridge Brigham: Compiled Historical Information Iowa Official Register July 21, 2021 In the twentieth district, Democratic Senator Theophilus Bryan was originally declared the winner.https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/legislator?ga=5&personID=5789 Senator Theophilus Bryan: Compiled Historical Information Iowa Official Register July 21, 2021 However, the members of the Iowa Senate voted on January 7, 1855, to remove Senator Bryan and replace him with his Whig opponent, Senator James Cunningham Jordan, thereby flipping the seat to Whig control.https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/legislator?ga=5&personID=4527 Senator James Cunningham Jordan: Compiled Historical Information Iowa Official Register July 21, 2021 In the twenty-fourth district, Democratic Senator John G. Shields died on June 25, 1856, causing a vacancy in his seat.https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/legislator?ga=5&personID=5844 Senator John G. Shields: Compiled Historical Information Iowa Official Register July 21, 2021 Therefore, by election day in 1856, the Democrats held 15 seats, the Whigs held 15 seats, and one seat was vacant (the seat that had been held by Democratic Senator John Shields). Prior to the 1856 election, nearly all Whigs switched political party affiliation to become Republicans. To claim control of the chamber from Democrats, the Republicans needed to garner 19 Senate seats. Republicans claimed control of the Iowa State Senate following the 1856 general election with the balance of power shifting to Republicans holding 23 seats, Democrats having 12 seats, and a lone seat for the Know Nothing PartyWilkinson Senator George W. Wilkinson was a holdover incumbent senator not up for re-election. Nonetheless, he switched political parties from Whig to Know Nothing.https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/legislator?ga=6&personID=5773 Senator George W. Wilkinson: Compiled Historical Information Iowa Official Register July 21, 2021 (a net gain of 23 seats for RepublicansWhig and 1 seat for Know Nothings). This was the first time Democrats lost control of the chamber. Republican Senator William W. Hamilton was chosen as the President of the Iowa Senate for the sixth General Assembly, succeeding Democratic Senator Maturin L. Fisher in that leadership position.HamiltonFisher The 1856 general election was the first in which the Iowa Senate's districts expanded to cover all the land area currently recognized as Iowa. Summary of Results Note: The holdover Senators not up for re-election are not listed on this table. Senate DistrictIncumbent PartyElected Senator PartyOutcome2ndSecond The second district transitioned from a 2- to 1-member district. Milton D. BrowningBrowning Senator Browning was redistricted from district 2 to 4. Whig David Trowbridge BrighamBrigham Democrat David Trowbridge Brigham succeeded Senator James M. Love to fill the remainder of an unexpired term. As an incumbent, Brigham was redistricted from district 1 to 2. The first district transitioned from a 3- to 2-member district, and the other two senators in the first district were holdover senators not up for re-election. Brigham was elected to a full term in 1856 to represent the second district.https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/legislator?ga=5&personID=5634 Senator David Trowbridge Brigham: Compiled Historical Information Iowa Official Register July 21, 2021 DemDem Gain William F. CoolbaughCoolbaugh Senator Coolbaugh was an incumbent holdover senator not up for re-election. Instead, he was redistricted from district 2 to 4. DemObsolete subdistrict4thFourth The fourth district was a 2-member district at the time. William Greyer CoopCoop Senator Coop was redistricted from district 4 to 6. Dem William F. CoolbaughCoolbaugh Dem Dem Hold John Park Whig Lyman Cook RepRep Gain 5thFifth The fifth district was a 1-member district at the time. Alvin SaundersSaunders Senator Alvin Saunders was an incumbent holdover senator not up for re-election. Instead, he was redistricted from district 5 to 7. He switched parties from Whig to Republican. Whig Henry Hoffman Trimble DemDem Gain 6thSixth The sixth district was a 1-member district at the time. James C. RamseyRamsey Senator Ramsey was an incumbent holdover senator not up for re-election. Instead, he was redistricted from district 6 to 8. Dem William M. Reed RepRep Gain 7thSeventh The seventh district was a 1-member district at the time. Daniel A. AndersonAnderson Senator Anderson was an incumbent holdover senator not up for re-election. Instead, he was redistricted from district 7 to 9. He switched parties from Whig to Republican. Whig Alvin SaundersSaunders RepRep Gain 8thEighth The eighth district was a 1-member district at the time. Samuel Goslee McAchranMcAchran Senator McAchran was redistricted from district 8 to 5. Whig James C. RamseyRamsey DemDem Gain 9thNinth The ninth district was a 1-member district at the time. Nathan UdellUdell Senator Udell was redistricted from district 9 to 10. Dem Daniel A. AndersonAnderson RepRep Gain 10thTenth The tenth district was a 1-member district at the time. James D. TestTest Senator Test was an incumbent holdover senator not up for re-election. Instead, he was redistricted from district 10 to 12. Dem John Wesley Warner Dem Dem Hold 11thEleventh The eleventh district was a 1-member district at the time. George Washington Lucas Dem Samuel Dale Dem Dem Hold 12thTwelfth The twelfth district was a 1-member district at the time. Hiram Thomas CleaverCleaver Senator Cleaver was an incumbent holdover senator not up for re-election. Instead, he was redistricted from district 12 to 13. He switched parties from Democrat to Republican. Dem James D. TestTest Dem Dem Hold 13thThirteenth The thirteenth district was a 1-member district at the time. James Latimer HoginHogin Senator Hogin was an incumbent holdover senator not up for re-election. Instead, he was redistricted from district 13 to 15. He switched parties from Whig to Republican. Whig Hiram Thomas CleaverCleaver RepRep Gain 14thFourteenth The fourteenth district was a 1-member district at the time. John R. NeedhamNeedham Senator John R. Needham was redistricted from district 14 to 16. Whig Charles Foster RepRep Gain 15thFifteenth The fifteenth district was a 1-member district at the time. Jefferson David HillisHillis Senator Hillis was redistricted from district 15 to 17. Whig James Latimer HoginHogin RepRep Gain 16thSixteenth The sixteenth district was a 1-member district at the time. Ambrose Cowperthwaite FultonFulton Senator Fulton was redistricted from district 16 to 21. Whig William A. Loughridge RepRep Gain 17thSeventeenth The seventeenth district was a 1-member district at the time. George W. WilkinsonGWWilkinson Senator Wilkinson was an incumbent holdover senator not up for re-election. Instead, he was redistricted from district 17 to 19. He switched parties from Whig to Know Nothing. Whig Jairus Edward Neal DemDem Gain 18thEighteenth The eighteenth district was a 1-member district at the time. Julius J. MatthewsMatthews Senator Matthews was an incumbent holdover senator not up for re-election. Instead, he was redistricted from district 18 to 23. He switched parties from Whig to Republican. Whig Marquis Lafayette McPherson RepRep Gain 19thNineteenth The nineteenth district was a 1-member district at the time. Samuel WorkmanWorkman Senator Workman was redistricted from district 19 to 20. Dem George W. WilkinsonGWWilkinson Know NothingKnow Nothing Gain20thTwentieth The twentieth district was a 1-member district at the time. Theophilus BryanBryan Senator Bryan was originally deemed to be elected to the seat.https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/legislator?ga=5&personID=5789 Senator Theophilus Bryan: Compiled Historical Information Iowa Official Register July 21, 2021 However, on January 7, 1855, he was removed by a vote of the members of the Iowa Senate and replaced by Senator Jordan of the Whig Party.https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/legislator?ga=5&personID=4527 Senator James Cunningham Jordan: Compiled Historical Information Iowa Official Register July 21, 2021 DemSamuel Jordan KirkwoodRepRep Gain James Cunningham JordanJordan Senator Bryan was originally deemed to be elected to the seat.https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/legislator?ga=5&personID=5789 Senator Theophilus Bryan: Compiled Historical Information Iowa Official Register July 21, 2021 However, on January 7, 1855, he was removed by a vote of the members of the Iowa Senate and replaced by Senator Jordan of the Whig Party.https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/legislator?ga=5&personID=4527 Senator James Cunningham Jordan: Compiled Historical Information Iowa Official Register July 21, 2021JCJordan Senator Jordan was an incumbent holdover senator not up for re-election. Instead, he was redistricted from district 20 to 27. He switched parties from Whig to Republican. Whig 21stTwenty-first The twenty-first district was a 1-member district at the time. Elisha F. ClarkClark Senator Clark was redistricted from district 21 to 28/29. Dem Nicholas John Rusch RepRep Gain 22ndTwenty-second The twenty-second district was a 1-member district at the time. Joseph BirgeBirge Senator Birge was an incumbent holdover senator not up for re-election. Instead, he was redistricted from district 22 to 29. Dem Jonathan Wright Cattell RepRep Gain 23rdTwenty-third The twenty-third district was a 1-member district at the time. Isaac Mosher PrestonPreston Senator Preston was redistricted from district 23 to 24/25. Dem Julius J. MatthewsMatthews RepRep Gain 24thTwenty-fourth The twenty-fourth district transitioned from a 3- to 1-member district. Senator Fisher was redistricted from district 24 to 32. Senator Shields died on June 25, 1856, causing a vacancy in his seat. Senator Hamilton was an incumbent holdover senator not up for re-election. Instead, he was redistricted from district 24 to 31. He switched parties from Whig to Republican. Maturin L. FisherMLFisher Senator Fisher was redistricted from district 24 to 32. DemWilliam George ThompsonRepRep Gain John G. ShieldsShields Senator Shields died on June 25, 1856, causing a vacancy in his seat.https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/legislator?ga=5&personID=5844 Senator John G. Shields: Compiled Historical Information Iowa Official Register July 21, 2021 Dem William W. HamiltonWWHamilton Senator Hamilton was an incumbent holdover senator not up for re-election. Instead, he was redistricted from district 24 to 31. He switched parties from Whig to Republican.https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/legislator?ga=6&personID=5730 Senator William W. Hamilton: Compiled Historical Information Iowa Official Register July 21, 2021 Whig 25thTwenty-fifth The twenty-fifth district was a newly created 1-member district.Newly created district George McCoy RepRep Gain 26thTwenty-sixth The twenty-sixth district was a newly created 1-member district.Newly created district Josiah Bushnell Grinnell RepRep Gain 27thTwenty-seventh The twenty-seventh district was a newly created 1-member district.Newly created district James Cunningham JordanJCJordan RepRep Gain 28thTwenty-eighth The twenty-eighth district was a newly created 1-member district.Newly created district Jeremiah W. Jenkins RepRep Gain 29thTwenty-ninth The twenty-ninth district was a newly created 1-member district.Newly created district Joseph BirgeBirge DemDem Gain 30thThirtieth The thirtieth district was a newly created 1-member district.Newly created district William G. Stewart DemDem Gain 31stThirty-first The thirty-first district was a newly created 1-member district.Newly created district William W. HamiltonWWHamilton RepRep Gain 32ndThirty-second The thirty-second district was a newly created 1-member district.Newly created district Henry B. Carter RepRep Gain 33rdThirty-third The thirty-third district was a newly created 1-member district.Newly created district Aaron Brown RepRep Gain 34thThirty-fourth The thirty-fourth district was a newly created 1-member district.Newly created district Jeremiah T. Atkins RepRep Gain Source:https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/senate Legislators Iowa State Senate July 21, 2021 Detailed Results NOTE: The Iowa General Assembly does not provide detailed vote totals for Iowa State Senate elections in 1856. See also Elections in Iowa External links District boundaries were redrawn before the 1856 general election for the Iowa Senate: Iowa Senate Districts 1852-1855 map Iowa Senate Districts 1856-1859 map References Iowa Senate Iowa Category:Iowa Senate elections